Pedestrian Bridge Competition, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Walk the walk...

Competition winners announced for Amsterdam Iconic Pedestrian Bridge

The AC-CA competition for an iconic pedestrian bridge in Amsterdam has released details of the winning entries. The brief set required a footbridge, a cafe space, a bicycle repair shop and spaces for toilets and administration offices.

The winning entry comes from a Spanish team consisting of Nicolas Montesano, Victor Vila & Boris Hoppek. Their entry takes a traditional bridge and splits it along two paths that form a circle, ‘framing’ part of the river. The team explains: “The project proposes a central enclosed space, a water plaza. A space that is defined by its shape, where boats cross through and pedestrians and cyclists stroll along its perimeter.”

The unique aspect of this design is the option for the user to either cross the canal over the water, as with traditional bridges, or under the water, creating an experience for the occupants. The bridge provides full access for cyclists and wheelchair users along the over-water path as a gentler slope can be implemented. The structure of the bridge uses simple steel latticing; the architects picked this to compliment the simplicity of the bridges circular shape. The architects hope this simplicity can translate across to the construction of the bridge with the materials being recycled from discarded shipyards waste. For the interior spaces, locally sourced wood will be used adding a sense of warmth and comfort to the build.

Second prize was awarded to the French practice 2:pm architectures, who proposed a submerged structure that gives the illusion of people walking on water. The bridge utilises the water in two ways; it uses buoyancy to maintain its positions in the water and segments of the bridge can be filled with water to make them sink, when boats need to pass. Carefully placed break water systems help to maintain a calm water surface for people crossing.

Third place went to the Slow Living Bridge by UK architects Velorose with Heyne Tillett Steel. The proposal centred on adaptability and sustainability. Barges and containers provide several interchangeable programmes, which can be moved, removed, or reintroduced to the demands and requirements of the time. The potential for this bridge allows continuous and forever changing use that grows over time. Several entries were also given Honourable Mentions.